SA School Card

What Is This Payment?

The SA School Card scheme waives the materials and services charge that public schools levy each year, and provides assistance with other school costs for families on low incomes. It is one of the few state concessions that translates into a clear dollar value off a real, recurring bill.

The rule database tags it as a Group A benefit with monetary_primary as its result role. That means it produces an estimated cash-equivalent amount: the rule uses the primary school materials and services charge of $300 per year as a conservative value, while secondary students have the higher $396 charge waived.

Eligibility is based on holding an eligible concession card or meeting the family income limit (the income limit was assessed at a household gross income under $74,189 on the 2023-24 basis). It applies to full-time public school students aged four and over, independent students in years 10 to 12, and adults repeating SACE.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is type: fixed, value: 300, period: financial_year. The rule values the benefit at $300 per financial year, based conservatively on the primary school materials and services charge.

• $300 per year — the primary school materials and services charge waived.
• $396 per year — the higher secondary school materials and services charge waived for high-school students.
• Extra help with uniforms, camps and excursions, which varies and is in addition to the charge being waived.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition below must pass.

1. You live in South Australia: state = SA. The scheme is run by the South Australian Department for Education.
2. You have a dependent child: dependent_children = true — a full-time public school student aged four and over (or an eligible independent or adult student).
3. You hold an eligible concession card: concession_card_type in [pensioner_concession_card, health_care_card, low_income_health_care_card, dva_gold_card], or you meet the family income limit.

If you do not hold a listed card, you can still qualify through the income test — the scheme assessed eligibility against a household gross income under $74,189 on the 2023-24 basis, so families just above the card cut-off should still check the current income limit.

An application is generally needed each school year, so even if you qualified last year it is worth re-applying to keep the charge waived and the extra cost help flowing.

How To Apply

The channel is online through the South Australian Government, with either an eligible concession card or income evidence.

• Apply online for the School Card scheme, generally each school year.
• Provide your eligible concession card, or income evidence if you are applying on the income test.
• Once approved, the materials and services charge is waived and related cost help is applied through your school.

Read the official SA School Card guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: primary school family

The Brooks family in Adelaide holds a Health Care Card and has two children in primary school. With School Card approved, the $300 materials and services charge is waived for each child, saving the family around $600 across the year.

Scenario 2: secondary student

Sophie is in Year 10 at a public high school and her mother holds a Pensioner Concession Card. The School Card waives the higher $396 secondary materials and services charge for the year.

Scenario 3: just over the card cut-off

The Costa family does not hold a concession card, but their household income sits under the income limit. They apply on the income test and have the charge waived through the income pathway.

Scenario 4: forgetting to re-apply

Liam's family qualified last year but did not re-apply this year, so the charge appears on the new invoice. They submit a fresh application and have it backdated for the school year once approved.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming only card holders qualify: you can also qualify on the family income test if your household income is under the limit, even without an eligible card.
• Not re-applying each year: the School Card generally needs a fresh application each school year to keep the charge waived.
• Thinking it only covers the charge: the scheme can also help with uniforms, camps and excursions, on top of waiving the materials and services charge.
• Confusing primary and secondary amounts: the waived charge is $300 for primary and the higher $396 for secondary students.
• Believing it applies to private schools: the scheme waives the public school materials and services charge; check the rules if your child is not in a public school.
• Missing eligible older students: independent students in years 10 to 12 and adults repeating SACE can also be eligible, not just younger children.

Related Benefits

• SA Preschool — free government preschool in the year before school.
• SA Sports Vouchers — vouchers towards children's sport and recreation fees.
• SA Student Transport and boarding allowances — for geographically isolated students.
• SA Cost of Living Concession — an annual payment for low-income households.
• Family Tax Benefit Part A — federal payment for families with children.
• Health Care Card — federal concession card unlocking many discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions